The rumor mill is buzzing with speculation that former Redskins coach Steve Spurrier did indeed receive a buyout of the remaining three years of his contract in exchange for his resignation.

Per one veteran personnel exec, no one in league circles is fooled by the suggestion that the eleventh-hour involvement of agent Jimmy Sexton on Spurrier's behalf resulted in Spurrier receiving none of the $15 million that he would have gotten over the remainder of the contract -- or if he'd been fired outright by owner Dan Snyderbrenner.

To support this theory, the source points to the confusion that emerged on Tuesday when Spurrier denied reports that he had resigned. The thinking is that Spurrier initially kept quiet because Sexton was working on the deal. Once Spurrier learned that the deal was done, Spurrier acknowledged that he had quit.

Part of the agreement, of course, is that Spurrier won't say that he received a payment in exchange for his agreement to leave. From Snyder's perspective, this serves two key purposes, at least in theory. First, it prevents the P.R. nightmare that might have ensued if the perception were that Snyder had fired yet another coach. Second, it sends a message to future Redskins coaches that there will be no reward for forcing a premature separation.

Though Snyder might have avoided the P.R. hit, the notion that he won't pay to get rid of a guy who wants out isn't taking root.